Thursday, 30 June 2011
Second Time Mummies Are More Relaxed
Leading nursery brand Munchkin has commissioned a survey investigating the difference between having one child and two. With 3,000 mums taking part, there were some very interesting and encouraging results!
The study has revealed 75 per cent of mums feel more relaxed with their second child, and as a result are less likely to treat them with ‘kid gloves’. As such, the stats reveal second children will more than likely go onto solid foods slightly earlier with 26 per cent of ‘second time mums’ less likely to make the baby their own special meals after weaning, and simply blend whatever the family is having. When it comes to splashing out on purchases for the new baby, mums are more likely to accept second-hand clothes, and spend less money on toys and treats. In fact, a quarter of all mums admitted to being more relaxed and confident with their second child.
Five things mums admitted to doing differently with their second child
1. Leave to entertain themselves for short period whilst they get on with some housework
2. Started weaning them slightly earlier than six months
3. More willing to accept second hand clothes
4. Spend less money on toys and treats
5. Let them watch ‘older television’ at a younger age than their older sibling
Dr Amanda Gummer is a leading authority on child development, play and parenting with over 20 years experience. Her aim is for every parent to feel comfortable and relaxed with how they parent their child. Amanda states: “These findings suggest that it’s the little things that mums do that are different with their second child. With two, mums naturally start to work smarter because they have so much to get through each day. Generally when the second child comes along, mums have become much more confident in their parenting abilities and developed their own style.”
Claire Rayner, a spokesperson for nursery brand Munchkin adds: “This poll is very insightful and confirms that having two children means life becomes even more of a juggling act for mums. With the first, there is just one child to look after and mums can give their undivided care and attention. It is understandable that mums will be more confident the more children they have, and we think this confidence should be celebrated.”
Munchkin’s products are all cleverly designed to help make parents lives safer, easier and more enjoyable.
To celebrate the great work mums do visit the Munchkin Facebook page: Munchkin UK or log on to www.munchkin.eu.com.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
I'm A Midnight Mum - but I'm Not Alone!!
Yes, it's 12.28am and I'm still up. I usually hit midnight before I drag myself off to bed - then feel guilty because I haven't blogged/cleaned/tidied etc. The truth is I just don't seem to have enough hours in my day.
I'm up at 6am and out the house by 7.15 to do the nursery run. I start work at 8.15 after my 45 minute commute. I always work through lunch grabbing a salad or a fruit pot as I work. I leave on time but take my laptop home, pick up the kids and head home. Dinner, bath and bedtime follows and I usually sit down at 10 wondering where the time has gone. I catch up with work emails whilst watching TV then catch up on the day that I have missed in the social space. I'm always tired and always wishing for more hours and more sleep so when I read that Three had uncovered the secret of Britain’s ‘Midnight Mums’I felt a sense of relief... It's not just me... I'm not alone! Here's the findings of thier recent survey...
According to Three, half of all UK mums (48 per cent) admit to going online in the depths of the night just to get everything done. With many resorting to catching up online at night, a third of mums (33 per cent) now get less than six hours of sleep.Yep - that's me - tired and grumpy on 5/6 hours a night!
The survey of 3,000 mums across the UK found that they are avid internet users, with a third (28 per cent) going online for at least an hour a day
As well as looking for parenting advice and activities for their children, the top online activities are email, online banking, staying in-touch with friends on Facebook, looking for money saving tips and vouchers, as well as reading the news. (Well we can't help ourselves can we! What's the point in going to bed early when you can catch up and nosey on your friends!?)
Research confirms that mums are always on the go, with most mums (82 per cent) now having less than an hour of ‘me time’ a day, leaving the majority of mums (78 per cent) stressed on a daily basis.
Three is working with celebrity mum Denise Van Outen and reaching out through NCT members, to help show mums the benefits of smartphones and having internet on the go - as the research indicated that mums can save 135 hours a year by having the internet while out and about. - This I can't comment on! My current 3 phone is a ZTE - which I confirm is neither smart or good looking!
Mobile internet on smartphones helps mums keep connected and gives them the freedom to be online for both work and play, wherever they are, and at a time most convenient to them. And thanks to Three’s All-You-Can-Eat data they can now do this without worrying about the cost.
Speaking about how mobile internet can help the modern mum, Sally Horrox from NCT said: “NCT wants people to have a parenting experience that enriches their lives and gives them confidence. Sharing information with a network of parents is a great support and benefit in parenthood, and this is what NCT is all about. The many ways that mobile internet is helping parents make connections is a great additional support for parents.
“We’ve noticed more of our members accessing our site and newsletter on their phones, which is one of the reasons we’ve launched our NCT Babychange app, helping parents save time when looking for quality baby changing facilities.”
Celebrity mum of one Denise Van Outen added: “My daughter has just turned one and keeps me constantly busy, so I can certainly empathise with busy mums.
“I love the internet and often tweet or go online late at night when I get some down time. Becoming smartphone savvy has been a great eye opener and I’ve enjoyed making dead time, such as standing in shopping queues and waiting for friends, more productive. With the help of some amazing apps I now have instant access to my email, bank accounts, news and travel updates at my fingertips.”
Sylvia Chind from Three explained: “Our research shows that Mums are particularly stretched for time and are really optimistic about how mobile internet could help them claim some of this back. We want to share hints, tips and tricks on what mums can do with mobile internet to help their lives run more smoothly.
“We want to reach out to as many mums as we can. Our aim is to give mums confidence and peace of mind when it comes to using mobile internet and smartphones, which is why we offer truly unlimited data on both pay as you go and contract plans.”
Three is also launching a nationwide competition to find the UK’s Busiest Mum. There is the chance to win an all-expenses-paid family holiday to the Caribbean for one deserving mum and her family. There are also BlackBerry smartphones available to win. To enter visit Three’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ThreeUK.
Three is also working with Race Online, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Lowri Turner and Laura Tenison to help show mums how to make the most of mobile internet.
Three offers all-you-can-eat data on both The One Plan and Pay As You Go packages, allowing customers to download the latest apps and music, use maps, view videos, update Facebook and Twitter, shop around for the best bargains and loads more without worrying about the cost of internet use.
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
WIN a £50 Matalan Voucher
You might remember the post I wrote about Matalan a few weeks ago - Cheap Holiday Clothes For the Kids. I was really impressed with the entire range and everything was such great value for money. I managed to get 12 great items for just £49 - from dresses for Little E to swim shorts for Mister A and this weekend I'll be heading there to get my holiday wardrobe sorted. Well I'll have to update now that I'm losing so much weight (19lbs in 10 weeks now - eeek!). This'll be me come July... lol
Anyway... the lovely people at Matalan have given me a whopping £50 voucher to give to one of you lucky peeps!
Here's how to enter the competition:
Leave a comment telling me what you comment below and tell me how you'd spend your £50 voucher if you won. Remember to leave a Twitter ID or email so I can contact you if you win!
For 3 extra entries:
1. Follow @second_time_mum on Twitter and tweet "I want to #win a £50 Matalan Voucher with @second_time_mum. You can enter here: http://tiny.cc/cavcu GO GO GO!! "
2. Follow Second Time Mummy via Google Friend Connect
3. Comment on another post in my archive - they get lonely those posts you know - they need to be talked to!
Please use separate comments for each entry. Failure do to so will result in only one entry per person.
The closing date of the competition is 30/06/2011. The winner will be chosen at random. The winner's name will be shown on this page. Competition is open to residents of the UK only. The prize is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. No cash alternative is available.
Find more prizes at ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions. Loquax Competitions
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Take That Progress Tour (with Full Set List)
It was such a fab night and they sang all my favourites...
Full set list for Progress Live Tour 2011
Rule The World
Greatest Day
Hold Up A Light
Patience
Shine
Sgt. Pepper’s VT
Let Me Entertain You
Rock DJ
Come Undone (Take A Walk On The Wild Side)
Feel
Angels
The Flood
SOS
Underground Machine
Kidz
Pretty Things
Million Love Songs/Babe/Everything Changes/Back For Good (piano medley)
Pray
Love Love
Never Forget
No Regrets (sang by the whole band)
Relight My Fire
Eight Letters
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